Isle of Wight: 50 things to do before you're 11 ¾

Girl in 50 Things T-shirt climbing tree by beach

We've put together a list of 50 things to do before you're 11¾ and the good news is that most of these great outdoor adventures can be done on the Isle of Wight - our very own 50 Things Island.

It's hard to know where to start. To make it easier, here’s a list of our best places where you can be sure to find loads of 50 things adventures. Just tick them off in your scrapbook when you've done them (you can collect a scrapbook when you visit one of our Island attractions) or register online.

Children finding a crab while rockpooling at Poldhu Cove, Cornwall

St Helens Duver 

This unusual shoreline of sandy beaches and tussock-y dunes is a good place for rock pool investigating, so take a net and see what creatures are hiding in the shallows. It’s packed with coastal wildlife in fact, so you stand a good chance of catching a fish with a net, or a crab.


A small boy runs ascross the grass flying a kite at a National Trust site

The Needles Headland and Tennyson Down 

This dramatic headland with spectacular coastal views is the perfect spot for flying a kite, and the grassy downs offer endless opportunities to make a grass trumpet and lay a trail with sticks.


Child with magnifying glass on bug hunt

Mottistone Gardens 

This flower-filled garden is full of surprises including a series of comical Flowerpot People, based on famous people. The orchard is a great place to build a home for a wild animal, and to hunt for bugs.

Children examine a worm at Penshaw Monument

Bembridge Windmill 

Bembridge Windmill is surrounded by National Trust countryside so it’s perfect for 50 things adventures. On Bembridge and Culver Downs you can climb a huge hill, hunt for bugs and go bird watching. You could also try finding your way with a map and compass, but don’t forget to return, to climb up inside the windmill.

Girl jumping over waves

Compton Bay and Downs 

This huge stretch of sandy beach is the National Trust’s No.1 destination for jumping over waves! It’s also the best place on the Island for making sandcastles, catching a crab and looking for crazy creatures in rock pools. You can stand in dinosaurs’ footprints too.

Two girls looking through binoculars, lying in the grass

Newtown National Nature Reserve 

This National Nature Reserve is packed with wildlife - 200 species of bird visit every year. Check out the three bird hides; the Mercia Seabrook hide is kitted out with telescopes and you can clamber upstairs for a better view. You can also hunt for bugs and catch fish with a net.

Printt off our handy 50 Things Island wall planner to find out what 50 things challenges you can do where > Download the planner here (PDF / 1.1MB) download